Weekend Round-up

A new look first team lost 3-2 in the heat at Radcliffe Borough’s Inn2gether Stadium, although there was better news for the Reserves who maintained their 100% record with victory over Monton Amateurs by the same scoreline.

Simon Carden and David Swarbrick got the goals at Radcliffe with two well taken finishes in either half but manager Karl Marginson knows that there is room for improvement.

Margy said: "Considering it is the players’ first run out it wasn’t too bad, but there is room for improvement in some areas. Some of the focus went at the back and we’ll have to try to work on that.

"But at this stage, all’s we can focus on is fitness levels. We haven’t done any work in training yet on things like keeping shape, so that will come in the next few games.

"I started [the game] with a mixed bunch with the aim of giving everyone a run out. I thought Swarbrick was fantastic in the second half. If he keeps playing like that, it is fair to say he will be doing enough to get into the first team. Matty Taylor and Alex Mortimer also impressed me."??

Radcliffe play two divisions higher than United and provided a tough game, but they were by no means comfortable winners. The Reds were pinned back early on but took the lead on the counter attack when Carden drilled home a fierce shot as he met a cross from the left hand side first time.

The goal settled United and they looked to be in control for some time until there was an impromptu drinks break just as they were waiting to defend a corner. Radcliffe caught the United defence cold at the restart with a clever flick on allowing the unmarked Scott Warner to head home.

Soon afterwards Radcliffe made it 2-1 taking advantage of some slack defending giving the home side had a lead at the break. Swarbrick’s second half performance was definitely one of the highlights for the Reds and he grabbed a deserved equaliser when he calmly finished after latching onto a through ball.

But United undid all their hard work by giving Radcliffe too much room in the box from another corner and allowing Simon Kelly to get the winner and his second goal of the day.

Meanwhile, the Reserves let a two goal halftime lead slip, but Ryan Shaugnessy was on hand to grab the winner in front of 100 or so spectators at Granary Lane, Worsley.